The sun rose higher, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered plains of Ursus. The two jeeps rumbled along the desolate highway, their passengers silent, lost in thought. The cold bit at their skin, but Yoren barely felt it. His mind was elsewhere.
"My code name is ACE."
That voice. That name. The world around Yoren seemed to freeze.
A hero is immortal; even if he is torn to pieces, he never retreats a single step.
Yoren's breath caught in his throat. His thoughts spun, pulled back to a time he hadn't yet lived—but one he remembered all too well.
Chernobog, 1096 Terra Calendar.
The sky burned red, meteors crashing down like divine punishment. The screams of the dying, the crackling of fire, the twisted remains of a once-great city—all of it painted a picture of pure destruction.
The Reunion Movement had finally shown its full strength. The oppressed, the abandoned, the vengeful—they had risen to claim their justice in fire and blood. And at their head, clad in silver hair and cold fury, stood Tallulah.
Rhodes Island's last hope for escape was dwindling. The remaining operators, backs against the wall, knew they couldn't hold out much longer.
"Dobermann, take Amiya and the others. Get them out of here!" Lin Guang shouted, planting her feet in defiance as the monstrous flames roared toward them.
Amiya clenched her fists. "No, I won't abandon you!"
"You have to go!" Lin Guang bellowed. "That woman—she'll kill us all!"
A shadow moved past them. Solid. Unwavering.
ACE.
His shield hit the ground with a heavy thud as he stepped forward. "No. We'll hold the line. You get out."
Dobermann's expression darkened. "ACE, you—"
"Amiya." His voice was calm. Steady. "You carry the hopes of Rhodes Island. You must live."
Tallulah raised a single hand. Fire gathered in her palm, glowing, searing, suffocating.
Amiya gasped as her body shuddered. The Originium rings on her fingers cracked. But still, she held her ground, the black barrier flickering under the sheer force of Tallulah's attack.
Then, a warm hand rested on her shoulder.
"It's okay," ACE said, stepping in front of her. "We've got this."
And then he charged.
The last thing Amiya saw before retreating was his broad back, standing firm against the flames.
Yoren's hands trembled.
That moment had been burned into his heart, a chapter in history so tragic it had made countless players clench their fists in frustration. ACE, the unyielding wall, the iron-blooded protector—sacrificed, forgotten by time.
But now, sitting in front of him, flesh and blood, was that same man. Not yet a legend. Not yet a martyr.
Vina's voice cut through his thoughts. "Yoren? What's wrong?"
He blinked rapidly, swallowing the lump in his throat. "Nothing," he lied, his voice hoarse. "Just... remembering something."
Vina narrowed her eyes. "Something bad?"
Yoren exhaled. "Maybe. But this time, I can change things."
Because history wasn't written yet. Because this time, ACE wouldn't have to stand alone.
Yoren clenched his fists, then wiped his damp eyes before turning back to the man who once stood against fire and fate. He reached out his hand, a fierce determination burning in his chest.
"My name is Yoren. It's an honor to meet you, ACE."
A convoy consisting of two jeeps and an armored vehicle rumbled along the frostbitten road leading to the ruins of Mandel City. By evening, they would reach their destination. The further north they traveled, the harsher the cold became, leaving a thin layer of ice creeping along the edges of the windows.
Yet, inside the car, the atmosphere was anything but cold.
Vina shot an annoyed glance at Yoren.
Ever since he'd met ACE, he'd been buzzing with excitement like a kid who'd just found out superheroes were real. He wouldn't stop talking, touching things, laughing—it was enough to make her wonder if he had a thing for mercenaries.
After finally settling down for a few minutes, Yoren rummaged through the back of the car again. This time, he pulled out a small yellow box, popped it open, and took out a cigarette.
"ACE, try this. Red Plums, specialty from my hometown."
ACE smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, but the car's enclosed. Wouldn't want to bother anyone."
"No worries, I'll crack the window a little for you."
Just as he reached to lower the glass, Vina snapped.
"Yoren, can you shut up for five minutes?"
"Huh? What did I do?"
"You're acting like a starstruck fan. You're gonna make ACE regret ever getting in this car."
ACE chuckled. "Nah, I don't mind. He's got good energy. And I'm pretty tough—I can handle a little chatter."
Yoren sighed dramatically and leaned back. Maybe he was being a little much, but damn it, this was ACE. The man who, in another timeline, would sacrifice everything for his comrades. Knowing what fate had in store for him, how could Yoren not want to make the most of their time together?
Still, Vina had a point. He needed to relax.
After a moment, he poked ACE's arm again. "You drink?"
"When there's no mission, yeah. A good drink with the right company—it's one of life's simple pleasures."
Yoren grinned. "Then after this job's done, I'll get you a bottle of Wuliangye. You'll love it."
ACE raised an eyebrow, clearly unfamiliar with the name. "Sounds strong."
"Oh, it is. But trust me, it's the kind of drink that makes you feel like you can take on the whole world."
ACE laughed, a deep, hearty sound. "I'll hold you to that."
They bumped fists in the air, sealing the deal. But Yoren had no idea that what lay ahead in Mandel City would change everything.
It was now the Afternoon.
After a quick, cold meal in the car, the group pressed on. Every second mattered. Arriving first could be the difference between securing the Originium or leaving empty-handed—or worse, not leaving at all.
Vina, Indra, ACE, and a few others poured over the old maps they'd acquired through Victoria's underground network. Though outdated by nearly thirty years, they were better than nothing.
Yoren, meanwhile, sat by the window, bored out of his mind. He reached into his pack, pulled out a can of water, and took a sip. Then, feeling generous, he grabbed another and tossed it to Kate.
"Better for everyone to share the wealth, right?" he said with a grin.
Kate caught it, giving a small nod of appreciation before popping it open.
Just as Yoren took another sip—
CRACK!
The car lurched violently.
Milk splattered across his face as the entire vehicle jolted sideways, the sudden impact nearly flipping it over. The driver slammed on the brakes, tires screeching against the icy road. The armored vehicle behind them barely avoided a collision.
For a moment, there was silence, save for the ticking of the cooling engine and Yoren's muttered curse.
Kate wiped his mouth. "What the hell was that?"
Vina grabbed her hammer. "Let's find out."
Everyone grabbed their weapons and stepped out, eyes scanning the empty road.
Snow blanketed everything, making it difficult to spot anything unusual. But following the tire tracks, they soon found the culprit: a strange, rounded object sticking out of the ground where their jeep had skidded.
"Looks like a rock," Indra muttered. "Who the hell leaves a rock in the middle of the road?"
Vina scowled. "Kate, smash it. I want us moving in two minutes."
Kate lifted her battle axe and brought it down with full force.
CLANG.
The vibration rattled through her arms, nearly making her drop the weapon.
"Shit! That thing's solid as hell!"
Vina's face darkened. She stepped forward, snatched the hammer from Yoren, and cracked her knuckles.
"Step aside. I'll show you how it's done."
Yoren whistled. "Go get 'em, boss."
Vina leaped into the air, hammer arcing behind her like an executioner's blade. With a roar, she brought it crashing down.
BOOM!
Snow exploded outward. A shockwave rippled through the ground.
And yet…
The round object remained completely unscathed.
Vina slowly turned to Yoren and handed him the hammer.
"Take it."
"What?"
"My hand's numb."
Yoren fought back a laugh as she shook her fingers in pain.
Before anyone could figure out what the hell they were dealing with, the object trembled.
Then, to everyone's shock, it lifted.
Like a lid being pushed open from beneath.
A small figure emerged, rubbing her eyes.
"Mmm… is it morning already? Who was knocking so loud?"
Everyone froze, weapons halfway raised.
The girl blinked sleepily, then gasped at the sight of a dozen armed people staring at her in complete disbelief.
"Ah! Strangers! Wait! I haven't even washed my face yet! Just wait a second!"
Before anyone could react, she yelped and dove back inside, slamming the lid shut behind her.
Silence.
Yoren stared at the now-closed "rock"—no, pod—and felt his jaw go slack.
He recognized that girl.
"No freaking way..."